(Part 1)

The auspicious clouds swiftly floated across the sky.

Hou Chi stood on top with a slightly anxious expression. She spent too much time in the Mortal Realm. Even if she rushed to the Demon Realm now, she would probably miss the New Year. She could only go with the flow.

The Demon Realm was in front of her, and the Qingtian Pillar in the distance was slightly visible. She breathed a sigh of relief and flew forward.

The Immortal Realm, Heavenly Palace.

Because of Qing Mu's turmoil on Qinglong Platform, Goddess Hou Chi's background was revealed. The Heavenly Empress's reputation suffered from this, and Princess Jing Zhao was locked in Suoxian Pagoda by the Heavenly Emperor for a hundred years. The series of events had weighed down the entire Heavenly Palace in recent months, making it lifeless.

In order to rejuvenate the Heavenly Palace's grandness and for the Heavenly Empress to forget the unpleasantness of the past, the Heavenly Emperor had sent out numerous birthday invitations for the birthday banquet since half a month ago, and even some old deities who never appeared anymore were invited to the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace. No one dared to shirk the invitation of the Heavenly Emperor, so this birthday banquet would be the grandest in a long time. This was known by all the immortals and the entire Three Realms.

On the day of the Heavenly Empress's birthday, the immortals gathered, and it was much livelier than Lord Dong Hua's birthday banquet on Da'ze Mountain. Holding the invitation, Qing Mu easily entered the heavenly gate. Sensing his arrival, the cultivating Jing Jian was taken aback. He showed a touch of surprise but still came to personally escort him.

Qing Mu, who without the Nine Heavens Profound Thunder, was no longer who he used to be. He wore a navy blue robe with a loose wooden hairpin on his head. His figure was slender, and his face was handsome. The ends of his black hair were gradually mixed with a glass-like golden color. There was also a bit of extravagance and mystery in his body that was unobtainable by ordinary immortals. As soon as he appeared, he drew the admiring eyes of most of the female immortals in the palace.

But everyone knew about the earth-shattering proposal on Qinglong Platform a few months ago, so even if they admired him, there were very few people who dared to step forward.

After all, it was clear that High Deity Qing Mu liked the little god of Qingchi Palace, and even Princess Jing Zhao of the Heavenly Palace had come back in despair. They should be more reserved to save face.

Qing Mu gave off a cold aura, looking a bit impatient under the immortals' greetings, but after some thinking, he didn't leave right away. Judging from the time right now, Hou Chi should have already obtained the Soul-Suppressing Tower and was rushing to the Demon Realm. He hoped that Feng Ran would succeed. They planned to meet at Qingtian Pillar and had calculated the time Hou Chi would depart.

When Jing Jian arrived, this was the scene he saw. He felt the powerful aura and dignity that Qing Mu gave off. He was really taken aback. Only one month had passed, and Qing Mu's body had changed so much.

"Qing Mu, Heavenly Father will definitely be happy to see you." Jing Jian stepped forward, passing the immortals, and approached Qing Mu. He did not bow. No matter how high or low Qing Mu's spiritual power was, he was a prince of the Heavenly Palace after all. As long as Qing Mu was not a god, there was no need to bow.

"Your highness is being too serious." Seeing Qing Mu nod slightly, his expression warmed. Jing Jian also showed a slight smile between his eyebrows, then led him aside.

Seeing Second Highness Jing Jian personally coming to escort him, the immortals silently made way for the two of them while admiring Qing Mu's nobility.

Jing Jian liked the quietness, and the maidservants of the Heavenly Palace knew his likings, so the surroundings of his palace were generally very quiet. On the trail, the two walked together. Feeling the faint gloom between Qing Mu's eyebrows, Jing Jian hesitated for a moment before saying, "Hou Chi...is she okay?"

Knowing that Jing Jian saw Hou Chi as his sister since the fight in Yuanling Swamp, Qing Mu's expression softened a bit. But thinking that he was to take the Spirit-Gathering Orb and that this would cause problems between him and the Heavenly Palace, the corner of his lips curled up and he said, "She's fine, she's very good."

Before Jing Jian could ask again, Qing Mu quickly added, "Feng Ran is also very good. She's as lively as a dragon and as vigorous as a tiger. She can even eat three full bowls of rice every meal."

Jing Jian's expression froze as if something had been pierced. His eyes were suddenly stained with red, and his voice was stumbling, "Qing Mu..."

"Your Highness Jing Jian, you and Feng Ran..." Qing Mu paused and said bluntly, "Are not suitable."

Jing Jian's face paled, his feet stiffened, and his eyes drooped slightly. After a long time, he said, "I know."

It was one thing whether Feng Ran would like him. Just based on the death feud between his older brother and Feng Ran...and the grievances between his Heavenly Mother and Qingchi Palace, the two of them were simply impossible.

The atmosphere became more serious for a while, but Qing Mu was not an ordinary person after all, so everything returned to normal in a moment.

He arched his hands towards Qing Mu, "The birthday banquet will be held in Xuantian Hall in the afternoon. Why don't you come to my palace to rest?"

Xuantian Hall? Hearing Jing Jian's words, Qing Mu's eyes were slightly turbulent. He said calmly, "Xuantian Hall has always only been for discussing serious matters. How could His Majesty hold the banquet there this time?"

Jing Jian looked a little awkward. He hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "This is what my Heavenly Mother wants."

Qing Mu nodded his head, showing that he understood. The Heavenly Empress lost some of her good reputation and would naturally want to gain it back. Nothing could show her dignity better than her prestige in Xuantian Hall.

Qing Mu looked around and said casually, "It seems like the Heavenly Palace is full of spiritual energy today, even more than before. It must be because of the Spirit-Gathering Orb. I heard that the Spirit-Gathering Orb was placed in Xuantian Hall to guard the Immortal Realm, is this true?"

Seeing Qing Mu suddenly mention the Spirit-Gathering Orb, Jing Jian was a little puzzled, but he still shook his head, "the spiritual energy overflowing in the palace has nothing to do with the Spirit-Gathering Orb. Since you experienced the Nine Heavens Profound Thunder a month ago, the Heavenly Palace has always been like this. In fact, as long as my God Father sits in the Heavenly Palace, there will be no trouble in the Immortal Realm. The Spirit-Gathering Orb's spiritual power has only been exaggerated by the Three Realms.

"Then...is it safe to place the Spirit-Gathering Orb in Xuantian Hall?"

"Naturally." A little doubt appeared in Jing Jian's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and said in a low voice, "Qing Mu, Xuantian Hall is protected by God Father's original source of power. Without Heavenly Father's permission, unless you have the power of a god, you won't be able to take even a step closer and will even be hurt by the spiritual power of the temple guardian spell. You...think twice before you act."

He didn't what Qing Mu had planned, but Qing Mu wouldn't ask about the Spirit-Gathering Orb for no reason, so he guessed that his visit to the Heavenly Palace was not normal. Xuantian Hall was protected by the Heavenly Emperor's original source of power. He was not worried about the wellbeing of the Spirit-Gathering orb, but he didn't want Qing Mu to provoke the Heavenly Emperor, so he wanted to make things clear.

Hearing these words, Qing Mu was visibly taken aback. He smiled and didn't say more, then sighed lightly. Seeing that Zisong Courtyard was already in front of him, he waved to Jing Jian, "Second Highness, thank you, we've arrived in Zisong Courtyard."

Seeing his indifferent expression, Jing Jian thought that he himself was being too careful, smiled, arched his hands, and left.

Qing Mu watched him walk away with squinted eyes, turned around, and entered Zisong Courtyard, then disappeared, going towards Xuantian Hall.

It was almost noon at this time, and the birthday banquet would be held in the afternoon. There was no time. Instead of waiting for the Heavenly Emperor and Empress to gather in Xuantian Hall, it was better to start now.

Xuantian Hall was suspended in the middle of the Heavenly Palace and would only open when the Heavenly Emperor was to deal with serious matters. Many immortals were surprised that the Heavenly Empress's birthday banquet was to be held here this time. But thinking of the Heavenly Emperor and Empress's relationship, they were relieved.

At this time, there were only a few guards outside Xuantian Temple and no high lords had come yet. Before Qing Mu could get close, he felt powerful white spiritual power flooding around the floating palace. His eyes sank slightly, and the approaching figure stopped.

(Part 2)

It seemed like Jing Jian was right. It wasn’t that the guards in Xuantian Hall were weak. With the spiritual power surrounding it, very few people could approach it.

If you weren’t a god, you couldn’t enter…? Thinking of what Jing Jian had said, Qing Mu concentrated, and a golden spiritual power came out from his body, surrounding his body. Almost immediately, the white spiritual power outside Xuantian Temple fluctuated under the soft golden light, retreating into Xuantian Temple invisibly, as if finding a place to hide.

Seeing this, Qing Mu was taken aback. He raised his handsome eyebrows, the golden spiritual power on his fingertips whirling, deepening a bit. Since the Nine-Heavens Profound Thunder on Qinglong Platform, this golden spiritual power has slowly appeared in his body. So this was its use.

The golden light that covered his body soared. Qing Mu pursed his lips, looking at the guardian immortals not far away, and walked towards Xuantian Temple.

It was pitch black in Suoxian Pagoda. The spiritual aura was weak, and only a ray of light shone into the small window on the tower.

Jing Zhao was dressed in a plain white robe. She sat cross-legged in the tower with an indifferent expression, with her eyes slightly closed, looking more serious than the pitiful her on Qinglong Platform.

One day outside was one month in Suoxian Pagoda, so although only one month passed outside, it had already been a year in the pagoda.

There was a tapping sound outside the small window. Jing Zhao’s eyebrows didn’t move, as if she didn’t notice anything.

“Your Royal Highness, Qing Li has come to visit, how can you ignore her?”

A delicate laugh came from outside the window. Jing Zhao frowned, opened her eyes, and looked out. Qing Li, who was in a long green dress was floating outside the tower with a smile. She turned her head back and did not answer.

“Princess Jing Zhao, we are old friends after all. Although you don’t need to welcome me warmly, you should at least send some words of greeting. Could it be that the princess doesn’t even have a bit of tolerance after being locked up in Suoxian Pagoda?”

Jing Zhao raised her head. Her eyes were transparent, and she said lightly, Qing Li, although I didn’t know your motive in the beginning, I know that you didn’t do it out of kindness. This is the Immortal Realm, it’s best for you to leave as soon as possible.”

She spoke indifferently, ignoring the provocation.

Qing Li raised her eyebrows and smiled, “Suoxian Pagoda really lives up to its reputation. It’s really a good place to hone one’s nature. Doesn’t Your Highness want to know why I’m here?”

“No.” Jing Zhao spit out the word coldly. Without raising her eyes, she put her hand on her sleeve and flicked it lightly.

“It’s the Heavenly Empress’s birthday banquet. So many immortals have been invited. If Lord Qing Mu messes up this banquet, without God Gu Jun’s protection, I don’t know if he’ll be as lucky as last time!” She laughed delicately, her clear eyes flowing, and she covered her mouth as she laughed.

Jing Zhao looked shocked. Her eyes burned and she said, “Qing Li, what on earth are you trying to say? What does Qing Mu have to do with Royal Mother’s birthday banquet?”

“As long as he doesn’t find ways to please the little god of Qingchi Palace, then he naturally…won’t have anything to do with it.” Qing Li slightly narrowed her eyes, sighed, and said, “Lord Qing Mu is really an infatuated person. He withstood the Nine Heavens Profound Thunder for Goddess Hou Chi last time, and now he’s barging into Xuantian Hall for her and stealing the Spirit-Gathering orb…”

Jing Zhao suddenly raised her head, her voice losing its color, “The Spirit-Gathering Orb, how could he go steal the Spirit-Gathering Orb!”

“That I do not know of. Princess Jing Zhao, I’ve finished saying what I had to say. As for whether Qing Mu will die in the Heavenly Palace, I…will wait and see, but…his time is running out!” Qing Li shrugged, blinked her eyes, and disappeared outside Suoxian Pagoda.

Jing Zhao stood up. She raised her head, her expression a bit unpredictable. Outside the small window, the faint light was shining down, and she felt a sting.

Jing Zhao, so what if you go, so what if you save him, he only loves Hou Chi. He doesn’t see a bit of your goodness at all!

At the same time, the Heavenly Emperor, who was discussing the birthday banquet with the Heavenly Empress in Yuyu Palace, had a sudden look on his face. He looked in the direction of Xuantian Hall, his expression slightly disturbed.

“Mu Guang, what’s wrong?” The Heavenly Empress was dressed in a golden phoenix brocade robe. The pure purple neckline was typed up against her neck. Like fluttering auspicious clouds, the colorful phoenix on the brocade robe looked real, like an extremely luxurious one flying into the sky.

“Nothing.” The Heavenly Emperor turned his head and said in a low voice, “My original source of power is in Xuantian Power, so no one should be able to get it.”

The latter sentence was too light, and the Heavenly Empress didn’t hear it, but seeing that the Heavenly Emperor had been in a good mood recently, she said, “Mu Guang, today’s my birthday banquet, so let’s allow Jing Zhao to come out. She is a princess of the Heavenly World after all, how does removing the hundred-year rule sound…”

Hearing the Heavenly Empress’s plea, the Heavenly Emperor hesitated for a while, but he still agreed, “I’ll allow Jing Zhao to come out as it is your birthday banquet today. She’ll return to Suoxian Pagoda after the banquet, and the grounding period will be changed to ten years.”

Hearing this, although the Heavenly Empress wasn’t very satisfied, she knew that the Heavenly Emperor had already made a concession, so she nodded and agreed.

Thinking of the invitations sent to Qingchi Palace and Liaowang Mountain, the Heavenly Emperor was unsure whether Gu Jun, Hou Chi, and Qing Mu would come, but he still had to tell Wu Huan about it beforehand. When he was about to speak, he felt a strong wave of spiritual power coming from Xuantian Temple, causing the entire Heavenly Palace to shake.

His expression solidified, his face sank, and he suddenly stood up and looked outside Yuyu Hall.

“Mu Guang, what’s going on?” She felt the same movement from Xuantian Hall, but the Heavenly Empress did not know things as clearly as the Heavenly Emperor, so she also got up and asked.

“Wu Huan, someone has broken into Xuantian Temple.” The Heavenly Emperor said softly. The gold in his eyes flashed quickly, then slowly fell silent.

The Heavenly Empress’s eyebrows narrowed. Mu Guang’s original form was that of a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon. Although his pupils were blacks, the color would change when he was extremely angry. She lowered her eyes and said, “Mu Guang, Xuantian Hall is transformed by your original source of power. If one is not a god, it would be nearly impossible to enter, but…Is Gu Jun here? What does he want?”

The Heavenly Emperor took a meaningful look at the Heavenly Empress and shook his head, “It’s not Gu Jun…what could Xuantian Hall have? That person just wants to take the Spirit-Gathering Orb.” After saying these words and seeing the Heavenly Empress’s expression lighten, his eyes darkened and he said, “I just didn’t expect that he could break into Xuantian Temple. I really underestimated him!”

“Mu Guang, you’re talking about…” After understanding the meaning of the Heavenly Emperor’s words, her expression stiffened, as if she couldn’t believe it, “How could this be? Didn’t you say that he had at a hundred more years until he would be promoted to a god?”

“A hundred years…” The Heavenly Emperor gently spit out the three words. He glanced at Xuantian Temple, where the golden and white lights mixed with each other. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a murderous intent filling him, “He’ll have to have the time!”

“The Spirit-Gathering Orb is what I use to hold up the Three Realms. He dares to covet it! I, the Heavenly Emperor, have not meddled into worldly affairs for tens of thousands of years, could it be that no one finds my Heavenly Palace important anymore!”

The Heavenly Emperor turned his head. His eyes were scorching and the supreme aura of the world appeared. The gilt dragon robe was slowly stretched out, bringing in coldness into Yuyu Palace.

The Heavenly Empress stared at the indifferent but unsmiling Heavenly Emperor, her heart shuddering. It’s been…ten thousand years since he used “I, the Heavenly Emperor” in front of her…

“This time, even if Gu Jun comes, I, the Heavenly Emperor, will not allow this to pass. This world should know…who the ruler is, who controls all living beings!”

The icy voice echoed in Yuyu Palace for a long time. The Heavenly Emperor stood up with his hands behind him, looking at the clouds in the sky. His lips were slightly raised without a trace of emotion